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2010 NFC Divisional Playoffs Point Spread: Dallas Cowboys (47.5) at Minnesota Vikings (-2.5)

With its lengthy playoff drought now over after last week’s 34-14 rout of Philadelphia, some of the pressure has been lifted off of the Dallas Cowboys heading into Sunday afternoon’s matchup with the Minnesota Vikings at the Metrodome. This will be the seventh playoff meeting between the two franchises. Dallas has won four of the prior postseason matchups but none of the games have been in this decade.

Dallas Cowboys (12-5 SU, 10-7 ATS)

The Cowboys used a balanced offense to control the ball for nearly 40 minutes in its Wild-Card victory over the Eagles. The 2nd-ranked total offense in the NFL is led by quarterback Tony Romo. He had a career-best 97.6 QB rating in 2009. Wide receiver Miles Austin was a pleasant surprise for the Cowboys this season. He leads the NFC in receiving yards and is heading to the Pro Bowl. Tight end Jason Witten (94 receptions) is also a All-Pro performer.

In its backfield, Dallas has the ability to strike with power and speed. Against the Eagles, speed back Felix Jones broke the game wide open with a 73-yard touchdown run. Pro Bowl offensive linemen Andre Gurode and Leonard Davis will be counted to contain a talented Vikings defensive line. The NFL’s top scoring defense during the regular season had another solid effort to open the playoffs. Pro Bowl linebacker DeMarcus Ware (11 sacks) will try to disrupt Brett Favre and the Minnesota offense on Sunday. After dropping his previous four postseason encounters, Dallas head coach Wade Phillips was finally able to break through in the playoffs against Philadelphia. He is 33-15 in three seasons with the Cowboys.

Minnesota Vikings (12-4 SU, 9-6-1 ATS)

The 40-year-old Favre will try to keep the magic going from a stellar regular season performance in his first season with the Vikings. He finished 2nd in the NFL in quarterback rating in a season that featured 33 TD strikes and only seven interceptions. Favre is just two wins away from getting back to the Super Bowl for the first time in 12 years. Pro Bowl wideout Sidney Rice (83 receptions) emerged this season to lead a deep group of pass-catchers.

Minnesota’s balanced offense can also attack defenses on the ground with one of the top backs in the NFL. Adrian Peterson is 2nd in the NFC in rushing with 1,383 yards. Percy Harvin was the NFC’s offensive rookie of the year after being an impact player as a receiver and kick returner. Like Dallas, the Vkings have a couple of All-Pro offensive linemen to work with. Guard Steve Hutchinson and tackle Bryant McKinnie will look to protect Favre against Dallas. Minnesota is 6th in the NFL in total defense. All-Pro linemen Jared Allen (NFC leading 14.5 sacks) and Kevin Williams will provide a formidable challenge for the Cowboys offense.

Head coach Brad Childress will be seeking his first postseason victory against Dallas. He lost his playoff debut last season against the Eagles. In four seasons with Minnesota, Childress has posted a record of 36-28.

Cowboys-Vikings Playoff Game Score Prediction:


Vikings 27 – Cowboys 24

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